Chapter 74 ~The Threat~
(Xander's POV)
It was morning, and I was driving to school. Fiona had somehow convinced me to go, brushing off my protests.The doctors had ordered bed rest for her. They said they still needed to run a few tests on her.
I was still processing everything that happened yesterday. It was overwhelming, really.
But I was a little upset with Fiona. She didn't need to go through these kinds of things alone. She could've told me.
Was it that she just didn't trust me enough to confide in me about some things?
Did she think this relationship was still a mating contract? Even without saying the words, she should've known we were way past that now.
Whatever we were, it was as real as it got.
But now that she was wolfless… the situation was a serious one. Not because of me. I'd choose her even if she was an earthworm.
It was about outside forces. Before long, the elders and council members would notice the lack of wolf scent.
This would give them every weapon they needed to get rid of Fiona. They'd suggest another mate, Alpha Varon would try to shove Nova down my throat. Dakota's hopes would be raised.
There were a few ways this would go, really. And none of them looked good.
I gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
Loud, aggressive horns around me made me realise I wasn't moving the car.
Muttering an apology, I began driving. I didn't stop until I reached the gates to Northvale High.
I could feel Calvin turn on the mindlink.
‘Alpha, I've got great news.’
‘Okay?’
With all that had been happening, I really needed to hear something positive.
‘The engineers completed Silvereign Pack’s renovation this morning. It looks even better than before.
Wow. I should go check that out. ‘That's nice, Calvin. You are really doing a good job as the Beta.’
I could hear his snicker. ‘Nah, I just really wanted to get the fuck away from Nova and her family.’
I made the closest sound I could to a laugh. ‘When is the move?’
‘We can start soon. Today sounds fine actually. I'll inform the pack members and proceed.’
‘I'm on my way to school. I'll come by later today.’
A beat of silence followed before he mindlinked again. ‘You sound a bit off.’
‘Off?’
‘Yeah, I know you. You're usually not this… I don't know. But something's different.’
He noticed.
I was contemplating telling him all that had happened. But I decided against it. It wasn't in my place to share the news.
‘I'll speak to you later, Calvin. I'm in school.’
‘Okay, Alpha. Stay safe.’
The mindlink closed.
I parked in the school's lot. As I was about to open the door, my eyes picked up something in the back seat.
I turned. There was a small white envelope.
Odd.
I collected it and examined it. Who else had access to my car?
When I tore it open, I saw a letter.
I read through it.
“You took something that belongs to me, Xander. I’m going to take something from you in return.
And when I do… you’ll still be breathing.
Just long enough to understand what you’ve lost.”
Was this some kind of joke?
I read through it over and over again, a chill creeping up my spine at the disturbing letter. Who was it from and what had I taken from them?
With a tired sigh, I tossed it aside.
I had a lot of things on my mind to be bothered about about the unhinged threat.
I stepped out of my car and exchanged greetings with a few people.
I ignored the glances in my direction and the giggles from the girls in the hallway as I walked to class.
There was more to life than being a high school golden boy, even I knew that now.
“Oh my god, I can't believe prom is next month! Senior year is going by so fast.” I overheard a girl tell her friends.
A feeling of loss overcame me. I hoped I had the chance to at least attend my prom with Fiona before I get whisked off to some supernatural academy.
By lunch, prom was all anyone could talk about. They chattered about dresses, dates, and prom proposals.
Sometimes I wished I were a normal teen.
Must be nice to worry about tux colors instead of pack politics, to have my biggest crisis being a date instead of a war.
For a second, i envied how small their problems were.
I was about to head to the cafeteria when a student I barely recognized tapped me from behind.
I turned back curiously. “Yeah?”
“Coach Bruce wants to see you.”
Coach Bruce wanted to see me? Since when? “Okay.”
I was sure confusion was written all over my face. But I walked to his office anyway.
I knocked on the door twice before a response came. “Come in, Grayson.”
Oh… he was indeed expecting me.
I walked in and was met with an unsmiling and furious Coach Bruce.
“Sit!” He snapped.
I sat on the chair across from him. I was genuinely eager to hear what he wanted to say. “You called for me.”
“So it has gotten to this?”
“Excuse me?” I arched my brow. “Gotten to what?”
“You're now ratting me out to National Hockey League scouts?” He looked so angry.
“Whoa… whoa… whoa. I never did that. They were the ones that reached out to me.”
“Well, I hope with whatever sick thought was in your head, you're happy now. They reported me to the school authorities and now I'm being queried. They threatened to fire me.”
“I'm sorry about that,” I started. “But that's news to me.”
This didn't seem to placate him. “I have the power to make your potential career in hockey null and void, Xander Grayson.”
Okay… he was pushing it now.
I tried to control my tongue.
He continued. “Anyway, after much consideration, I've decide to give you a second chance to return to Northvale High Hockey team. But not as captain.”
“No.”
“No?”
“No.”
He seemed surprised. The exact reaction I was hoping for.
I got up from the chair. “Respectfully, you can keep the spot for someone else.”
I wasn't playing second fiddle. And besides, what did it matter? I'll be leaving Northvale soon.
I stood up and let myself out. I was sure his jaw was still slack even after I left.
I walked briskly towards the cafeteria. I was so angry that I almost bumped into Matt.
He staggered. “Yoh, Xander, take it easy, man.”
“Sorry. I wasn't watching.”
“Sure you weren't.” He snickered, but stopped after he saw my expression. “What's wrong? You look mad.”
“I just came from Coach Bruce's office. He wants me on the team again. But as a normal player.” I decided to confide in him.
Matt pulled me closer, an urgent look on his face. “I know why Coach pulled you out of the team. It's a secret. You must promise not to tell anybody.”
A secret?